Gandangara CEO Dr Melissa Williams joins Western Sydney’s most influential 50

The Daily Telegraph has named Dr Melissa Williams, CEO of Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC), one of the 50 most powerful people in Western Sydney.

Other leaders on the Future Western Sydney Power List include Prue Car, Deputy Premier of NSW, Olympians Noemi and Jessica Fox and Jennifer Westacott, Chancellor of Western Sydney University, as well as Penrith Panthers co-coach and co-captain, Nathan and Ivan Cleary and actor Bryan Brown.

Ben English, editor of The Daily Telegraph, said the people on the list will power Western Sydney into the future.

Dr Williams, who joined GLALC in 2018 after a distinguished two-decade career in business and higher education, said the recognition was an acknowledgement of GLALC’s important role in supporting the community. “We are not waiting for change. We are delivering it,” she said.

Under her stewardship, GLALC, which represents the largest urban First Peoples population in Australia, has evolved into a trusted anchor institution, embedded in South-Western Sydney.

Dr Williams’ leadership has been instrumental in securing $24.3 million in NSW Government funding through the WestInvest program for transformational initiatives, designed by community, for community.

With a $7.4 million grant, GLALC is developing the Gandangara Cultural Connection Hub on land the GLALC owns in Liverpool. This landmark centre will bring together a state-of-the-art cultural and arts facility with a curated Keeping Place for First Peoples knowledge and artefacts.

Delivering Measurable, Sustainable Impact

Through a whole-of-life approach, Gandangara is already achieving significant impact across health, housing, transport, land management and cultural wellbeing:

• Gandangara Health Services - A highly skilled, multidisciplinary team including 13 General Practitioners and 20 allied health professionals deliver culturally safe, holistic care to individuals and families. The Service addresses chronic disease, healthy lifestyles, mental health and intergenerational trauma.
• Gandangara Community Healing Centre - A culturally safe, trauma-informed service provides care and long-term recovery for First Peoples with AOD challenges. The Centre integrates clinical excellence with Aboriginal ways of healing.
• Gandangara Transport Service - Transporting over 15,000 passenger trips each year, the Transport Service connects people to healthcare, community and Country.
• Marumali - A financial health brokerage, referral and advocacy program, Marumali ensures First Peoples have access to critical health care and support. It also offers a calendar of community activities such as Yarning circles for Elders, swimming lessons for children and didgeridoo classes for young people, bringing together members across the generations.
• Housing Program - Managing 28 community-owned residential properties, GLALC’s Housing program rents homes to their Members
• Culture Heritage, Land & Management Program - By restoring and protecting Country, including the Heathcote Ridge Eco Depot and running the First Peoples Ranger Program, GLALC is training young people to become rangers and lead cultural tours.